With an eye on preserving the recreational opportunities at Lake Parsons, the city of Parsons will continue to monitor discussions regarding a planned wind generation project in Neosho County.
At the urging of City Commissioner Tom Shaw, City Attorney Ross Albertini attended the Neosho County Commission meeting last week. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to discussion on the Neosho Ridge wind farm that Apex Energy is planning to develop on the south end of the county, including near Lake Parsons. Albertini said nothing was mentioned during the meeting about possible pollution to the lake, but he found through research that the city doesn’t need to worry about that aspect.
There is some concern, however, about the migratory patterns of ducks being affected by turbines, as well as the number of birds that would be killed by turbines.
Albertini said Jim Zaleski, economic development director of Parsons, planned to get in touch with a person he knows at the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to gather more information. The city staff will continue to monitor the progress of the wind farm and plans to send someone to a Thursday evening Neosho County Commission special meeting on the topic. City Manager Debbie Lamb said the Lake Parsons advisory board also would discuss the topic on Tuesday to determine if opposition should be mounted or concerns aired.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)